Circuit breaker



G. V. CRUISE CIRCUIT BREAKER Oct. 23, 1934.

3 Sheets-sheet 1 Filed 0G13. 23, 1930 wir INVENTOR eluld linceul lzz'y',

4./ H15 ATTO E'Y/S G. V. CRUISE CIRCUIT BREAKER Oct. 23, 1934.

Filed os. 2s, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 w INVENTQR I llera/d llweli Zw/lsf, BY*

A ITORNEY wleg'mw@ Oct. 23, 1934. G. v. CRUISE 1,977,716

CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed oct. 2s, 195o 3 Sheets-sheet 3 14 16v@ Hm @MJJGMM 44 m ml WL I f' l l um" I INVENTOR llera/l linnen! 'lufse,

Patented Oct. 23, 1934 PATENT OFFICE CIRCUIT BBEAKEB,

Gerald Vincent Cruise, Jackson Heights, N. Y., assigner of one-third to Sol Eli Schultz, Bogota, N. J., and one-third to Norman L. Dolph, West Caldwell, N. J.

Application October 23, 1930, Serial No. 490,587

10 Claims.

The present invention relates to circuit breakers and embodies, more specifically, an improved form of circuit`breaker wherein mechanism is provided for extinguishing, effectively, the arc formed between the parting electrodes of the breaker.

A very considerable amount of study and investigation has been addressed to the extinguishing of arcs of circuit breakers under operation when used in connection with high voltages. The maintenance of high tension transmission linesas well as the preservation of a' uniform supply of electricity thereby is such an important factor in electrical power generation and distribution that the interest and attention devoted Vto improving the service and insuring an uninterrupted power supply has spared neither time nor expense. The common forms in which apparatus of this character are now available embody, among other devices, explosive switches, and oil circuit breakers.l Oil circuit breakers have been found to be most serviceable but are frequently inadequate to withstand the severe stresses received in service. Sluggish arc extinguishing qualities, disintegration of the oil with consequent necessity of changing the same frequently, and expense in maintenance are outstanding disadvantages of oil breakers, and other forms of breakers now available either possess the disadvantages noted above, or are ineffective for use in connection with high tension systems. The present invention seeks to provide a circuit breaker wherein the arc produced by the parting of the breaker terminals is effectively tion is attained through the instrumentality of,

an extremely rapid flow of a fluid which is directed between the parting electrodes and in such direction with respect to the arc as to extinguish the same most effectively. Not only is it proposed to utilize the fluids as an arc extinguishing instrumentality but also as a means for opening and closing the breaker. In order that the mechanism described more specifically hereinafter may be more fully understood, a brief discussion of the general theory underlying the operation thereof is believed to be helpful and will now be made.

At the outset, the effect of a blast of ay uid, such as air or gas under pressure upon an electric arc is generally understood to increase the effective length of the arc when the blast is transverse to the axis of the arc. By maintaining a supply of a suitable fluid under an adequate pressure, it is proposed to control the confined fluid by the electrical characteristics of a transmission line, releasing the same and directing it across the path of an arc when the characteristics of the transmission line attain a predetermined state, thus extinguishing the arc generated by the circuit breaker in such line. To insure an instantaneous extinguishing action upon the arc as soon as the arc is formed. it' is proposed to set the compressed fluid into motion and direct it in such fashion as to cause the velocity thereof to attain a maximum value as it reaches the regin immediately adjacent and surrounding the arc. When the fluid has thus been set into motion, the circuit breaker is actuated, at which time the arc is formed and immediately receives the extinguishing effect of the blast of the fluid, described above. In its more speciflc application, it istherefore proposed to utilize the kinetic energy of the rapidly moving fluid as it reaches the region of the arc to effect the separation of the terminals of the circuit breaker, thus insuring the proper sequence of operation outlined above. To effect the foregoing operation, the terminals of the breaker are preferably mounted for axial movement with respect to each other and formed with suitable blades or vanes against which the rapidly moving fluid impinges to force the terminals apart and effect the operation above outlined.

The speed of the breaker, or its time element in operating, will thus be seen to depend, not only upon the pressure and velocity of the uid utilized, but also upon the weight of the moving parts, construction of the blades or vanes, and the manner in which the ow of gas is directed thereagainst. The construction. described herein proves itself to be far more emcient than the oil circuit breakers now available, the weight of the moving parts being approximately ten percent of that of the moving parts of oil circuit breakers designed for like use, and the resulting arc quenching or rupturing characteristics are thus found to be far superior. By the construction4 described herein,l the quenching fluid utilized is reduced to an' extremely low temperature and di- `a pressure over twice thatin the region outside the reservoir and an aperture in the reservoir is opened, the velocity of the gas through the oriflee is independent of the difference in the pressure existing between the inside and outside of no the reservoir. This velocity is dependent only upon the velocity that sound can attain in' the gaseous medium in the reservoir. Furthermore, the pressure existing in the throat of the orice,

f under the foregoing conditions, is a function of the pressure in the reservoir. In the case of air and other diatomic gases, thispressure in the orifice is expressed as .53P1 where P1 is the pressure in the reservoir. When the gas escapes to atmospheric pressure the drop in pressure from .53P1 to P2 (where Pz is atmospheric pressure) takes place outside the orifice.

It is now proposed to utilize this pressure drop to afford an increased velocity and a diverging or expanding nozzle is employed to confine the gas after such pressure drop has occurred. The nozzle thus steps up the velocity of the gas' above the acoustic velocity and the final velocity is therefore the sum of the acoustic velocity at the orifice plus the velocity generated by the expanding nozzle. The resulting condition which exists during the operation of the breaker, therefore, is characterized by a high velocity of the uid tending to blow away the ionized gases; a low temperature of such fluid tending to deionize the gases; and a high speed of separation of the contacts.

In an alternating current circuit the current goes through the zero point of its wave twice every cycle or, in a sixty cycle system, every 1/120 of a second. During a short circuit, the voltage is practically zero. At the instant of zero current, however, the voltage almost immediately tends to rise to its normal value. The time elapsed between the instant of zero current and the instant of restored voltage usually is not sufficient to allow the ionized gases to escape or become deionized. This restored voltage is suicient to break down again the arc gap and thus cause the arc to persist. If this arc, however, crosses the path of a high velocity gas stream a considerable portion or all of it will be blown away during the minute interval of time described above. The foregoing time interval depends upon the natural frequency of the circuit and may vary in practice from 2.5 to perhaps several thousand microseconds. If the velocity of the gas i s2000 ft. a second at the instant of the formation 'ofthe arc, the movement of the arc, neglecting losses, away from the contacts will thus vary from .06 inch to upwards of several feet during the period within which the voltage must rise to restore the arc.

Since four such separations will be effected, the total separation will be from .24 inch to upwards of 10 ft. during this time interval. The intensity -of the arc and its tendency to persist is dependent vupon the heat generated in maintaining it and thus the speed at which the contacts are sep- ,.arated. If the fluid stream directed thereagainst is of a low temperature it will greatly accelerate the quenching thereof. It will thus be seen that the quenching or rupturing forces exerted upon the arc are adequate to effect the rupturing thereof, such forces acting more rapidly than the tendency of .the voltage to rise and cause the arc to persist.

In accordancewith the foregoing,an object o f the invention is to provide a circuit breaker wherein a fiuid under pressure is utilized to extinguish the arc effectively during the operation of the breaker, such uid being in its greatest arc quenching condition4 at the instant `the arc is formed;'-

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the above character, wherein the flow of the fiuid lat the instant it s most effective'to extinguish the arc is utilized to separate the breaker contacts.

A further object of the invention is to provide a breaker of the above character wherein an arc splitting structure is combined with a fluid directing mechanism which serves to direct an extinguishing fluid across the path of the arc and subsequently separate the breaker terminals.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the above character wherein the fluid is utilized not only to operate the breaker but also to restore the same to its normal closed position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a breaker of the above character wherein the moving parts are of an extremely small weight and mounted in such manner as to enable them to be moved effectively to and from a closed position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the above character wherein the electrodes are effectively moved to an open position and maintained in such position to prevent the accidental closing thereof until the device is positively actuated after a faulty condition has been corrected.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for restoring the electrodes of a breaker of the above character to a closed position through the instrumentality of the fluid medium utilized thereby.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in combination with an arc extinguishing gas maintained under pressure, a device whereby the gas is expanded adiabatically to increase the velocity thereof to a value greatly in excess of its velocity as it escapes from its reservoir or container.

A further object of the invention is to provide a breaker mechanism of the above character wherein the kinetic energy of a rapidly moving arc extinguishing fluid is directed against the impulse or reaction blades or vanes carried by electrodes to effect the separation thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide an indicating mechanism which is actuated dinism of the above character, a palette switch operated directly by the breaker contacts.

A further object is to provide a valve for actuating a circuit breaker, which valve automatically functions to direct a quantity of uid into the breaker and then closes, the valve remaining open as long as the fault persists.

Further objects, not specifically enumerated above, will be apparent as the invention is described in greater detail in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation, partly broken away and in section on a plane passing through the longitudinal axis of a circuit breaker constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view in end elevation, showing the circuit breaker of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail View of the armature and pilot valve operating mechanism for actuating the main arc extinguishing fluid valve.

Figure 4 is an enlarged segmental view in detail, showing the elemei ts of Figure 3 in addition to the cooperating elements which effect the operation of the valve, the armature and relief valve parts being moved to a closed position.

Figure is an enlarged segmental view in section, showing the circuit breaker closing mechamsm.

, Figure 6 is an enlarged plan view in section, taken on line 6-6 of Figure 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 7 is a view in section, taken on line 7-7 of Figure 3, and looking in the direction of the arrows. y

Figure 8 is a plan view, broken away, showing the vanes of the electrodes in detail.

Figure 9 is a view in end elevation, showing the electrode of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 1, showing a modified form of circuit breaker constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to the above drawings, a suitable mounting, such as pillar l is provided upon which insulator 2 is secured. This insulator may be formed in any desired fashion and includes oppositely extending horizontal portions 3 and a vertical portion 4. In the form shown, lthe insulator is preferably formed in segments and assembled by means of suitable clamping or cover plates 5. Within the insulator, an arc splitter 6 is provided, this member being formed with female terminals 7 mounted for axial movement on guides 8 and connected by toggle links 9. The toggle links are connected through links 10 to a rod-11 which operates a palette switch 12. When the circuit breaker is closed, the female switch members are forced toward each other to move the rod 11 downwardly, and when open the rod is moved upwardly by means of a spring 13. Within the horizontal portions 3 of the insulator, electrodes 14 are slidably mounted. These electrodes are formed with male switch members 15 and impulse vanes or blades 16. 'I'he male switch members engage the female members to close the breaker and circuit in which the same is connected, the

Icircuit including portions of the breaker described hereinafter.

Carried upon the vertical portion of the insulator is a pressure chamber 20, supplied with a fluid under pressure through a suitable pipe 21. The chamber receives a vertically mounted guide 22 having a flanged top 23 which is secured to the chamber by means of a suitable fitting 24 and which receives a dome-shaped cap 25 to close the chamber and guide. Within the upper extremity of the guide an electro-magnet 26 is mounted, this magnet being carried upon a spool 27. Spaced lifters 28 are pivoted upon the upper surface of the spool and are adapted to operate vertically movable rods 29 through springs 30. Within the lowerportion of the spool 27, guide chambers 31 are provided, springs 32 being seated therein to urge downwardly, extensions 33 formed upon an armature 34. An axial recess is formed in the armature 34 to receive a tubular guide 35 within which apertures 36 are formed. The upper portion of the guide is preferably provided with a cap or fitting 37 which is slidably received within a bushing 38 carried by the spool 27. When the electro-magnet 26 is deenergized, the springs 32 urge the armature 34 downwardly, causing the apertures 36 to communicate with the region below the spool and armature as clearly shown in Figure 3. When the electro-magnet 26 is energized, the armature is maintained in the position shown in Figure 1 to overlie the-apertures 36 and prevent communication between such apertures and the region above referred to. At the upper extremity of movement of the tubular guide 35 and fitting 37, the latter engages the lifters 28 to maintain the armature in the position shown in Figure 4.

An electrical circuit 39 is connected to the electro-magnet and to a battery 40 or other source of power. The contacts of a relay 41 are connected in the circuit 39 and the relay is connected in a circuit 42 which is preferably in the line circuit of the circuit breaker or operated remotely thereby in a suitable fashion. It will thus be seen that the circuit 39 is normally closed by the contacts of relay 4l to maintain the armature 34 in the position shown in Figure 1. When a predetermined condition exists in circuit 42, the relay 41 is energized to break the circuit 39 and thus permit the armature 34 to be moved downwardly to the position shown in Figure 3.

The tubular guide 35 is provided with a disc 43 upon the lower extremity thereof, this disc sliding in the guide 22. A downwardly extending cup valve 44 is formed on the lower side of the disc 43 and is slidably received by suitable guide members 45, formed on the guide 22. The cup valve 44 is formed with a diameter less than that of the disc A43, apertures 50 being formed in the disc between the periphery thereof and the cup valve 44. 'I'hese apertures preferably curve outwardly and downwardly away from the top of the disc at which point the apertures are formed with their smallest diameter. The guide 22 is cut away at a plurality of points as shown at 46 to afford a communication between the reservoir 20 and the interior thereof. At the lower extremity of the guide 22, a seat 46a is formed, this seat normally receiving the cup valve 44 and being formed with a Venturi throat or outlet 47.

Within the vertical portion of the insulator, a flaring or expanding axial conduit or chamber 48 is formed, this conduit constituting a nozzle for expanding adiabatically the fluid discharged by the outlet 47 and directing the same against the arc splitter 6. Adjacent the arc splitter the nozzle 48 flares abruptly outwardly and, with the arc splitter, forms diverging channels 49 which lie at a substantial angle with respect to the axis of the electrodes 14.

Channels 49 preferably terminate in diverging channels 17, forrried in the base/2 of the insulator. In this fashion, thejrapid flow of a suitable fluid through the nozzle and channels 17 blows the arc existing between the parting electrodes and the femaleswitch members, through thechannel's and exerts an extinguishing effect thereon. `Upon the reservoir 20, a guide 60 is tremity of the recess 61 and a spider 67, mounted upon the top of the recess 61.' A cover plate 68 serves as a closure for the above described mechanism and is formed with a dome 69lwithin which the upper extremity of the hollow shaft 65 is received. yA suitable spring 70 is connected between the hollow shaft and the spider 67 to restore the armature to a normal position. The lower extremity of the tubular shaft 65 extends within guide 60 and is formed with an aperture 71. This lower extremity of the hollow shaft 65 is rotatably and slidably received within a sleeve 72, formed upon piston 73. A downwardly extending cup valve 74 is formed on the lower side 150 of the. piston 73 and engages a seat '75, formed on the lower extremity of the guide 60. .A key '76, formed on the inner surface of the guide 60 engages a suitable slot in the piston 73 to limit the movement thereof to axial movement only.v Between the periphery of the cup valve '74 and the periphery .of the piston '73, ports '77 are formed, these ports being similar in formation to the ports 50 in disc 43. An aperture 78 is formed in the sleeve '72 and is adapted to register with the aperture 71 when the hollow shaft 65 isr` rotated by means of the wound armature 64.

A pipe line 79 connects the reservoir 20 with the lower extremity of the guide 60, beneath the piston '73. ,The valve seat '75 is preferably formed with a Venturi .outlet 80, similar in formation to the outlet 4'7 and communicating with a pipe line 81. in the vertical portion 4 of the insulator which, in turn, communicate with ducts 19 formed in the horizontal portions of the insulator.

The electric motor, above referred to, is connected in an electrical circuit 82 which is preferably connected across the source of power 40 and is provided with a control switch 83. When the switch 83 is closed, the motor is operated to rotate hollow shaft 65 until its aperture 71 registers with the aperture 78 in the sleeve 72. The pressure within the chamber 84, above the piston '73, is thus relieved and the piston moves upwardly, unseating the valve 74. In this manner, uid from the reservoir 20 is introduced into the ducts 18 and 19.

Upon the outer extremities of the horizontal portions 3 of the insulator, are mounted terminal devices which are adapted to be connected to line wires 100. These terminal devices preferably include a mounting disc 101 which carries a guide 102 having a cap 103. This cap is formed with an aperture which communicates with the respective duct 19 by means of a pipe connection 104. The guide 102 is formed with a cylinder portion 105 of restricted diameter having relief ports 106. Sleeve 107 is normally urged to the left as viewed in Figures 1 and 5 by means of spring 108 to close the relief ports 106. The end of the sleeve is provided with a spider within which a valve rod 109 is journaled, this rod normally being urged to the right, as viewed in Figures 1 and 5 by means of a spring 110. The valve rod carries a sleeve valve 111 formed with apertures 112 and a cup-shaped flange 113. Undernormal conditions, the sleeve valve seats on the end of the sleeve and the apertures 112 are closed by the sleeve 10'7, as well as the relief ports 106. 'I'his condition is illustrated in Figures 1 and 5.

Elongated recesses 3' are formed in the outer extremities of the horizontal portions 3 of the insulator and carry sleeves 114 within which discs 115 are slidably mounted, these discs being threaded upon the' outer ends of the electrodes 14. The sleeves 114 are enlarged at 116, adjacent their inner extremities and carry cylindrical members 117 within which spring friction shoes 118 are mounted. As the pistons 115- advance to the left, as viewed in the drawings, they engage the friction shoes. 118.to break the movement thereof and are secured in a position corresponding to the closed position of the circuit breaker.

Upon the outer extremity of the electrodes 14, a nose 119 is formed having a peripheral shoulder 120. Dogs 121 are mounted upon brackets 122 within the housing 102 and are formed with detents 123 which' are normally urged toward each other by means of a suitable spring 124 This pipe line communicates with ducts 18' The ends of the dogs distant from the 'detents 123 are formed with camming surfaces 125 which are engaged by the ange 113 to move the detents away from the shouldered nose 119.

The operation of the mechanism described above takes p'lace as follows. When a fault occurs on the transmission line 100, the relay circuit 42 is energized to break the circuit 39. This deenergizes the electromagnet 26 and permits the springs 31 to force the armature 34 from the position shown in Figure 1 to the position shown in Figure 3. The fluid within the chamber above the disc 43 thus flows through the ports 36, which are uncovered by the downward movement of the armature 34, and escapes into the tubular guide 35 and through the oriiice 4'7. The relief of pressure within the above chamber causes the pressure within the reservoir 20 to force the disc 43 upwardly and thus lift the valve 44 from its seat 46a. The medium within the reservoir thus is discharged through the orifice and into the expanding nozzle 48, from whence it is diverted into the channels 49 and throughl the vanes 15 of the electrodes A14. The flow of the medium through the nozzle and its expansion therein increases its velocity and decreases the temperature thereof. The kinetic energy of the discharging medium is directed against the vanes 16 to impel the electrodes 14 away from the female switch members '7. As the electrodes advance toward the outer extremities of the horizontal portions 3 of the insulator, the fluid trapped by the piston 115 is compressed and cushions the final movement of the electrode as it advances toward the detents 123. When the pressure thereof builds up to a suiicient amount, it forces the sleeve valve and sleeve to the right, as viewed in Figures 1 and 5 until the ports 106 are exposed, at which time the pressure is relieved. The nose 119 rides under the detents and the latter engage the shoulder 120 to hold the respective electrodes in the open position. It will be seen that the compression of the fluid within the sleeve 114 begins as soon as the vanes or blades pass out of the gas stream.

In the meantime, disc 43 has traveled upwardly and the fitting 37 raises the lifters 28 to raise the armature into its upper position, thus closing the space between the tubular guide 35 and the sleeve 38 from the chamber above the disc 43 and preventing further flow of fluid from such chamber. This traps the fluid in the saidy chamber and the compression thereof brings the valve and disc 43 to a stop. The ports 50 then reestablish the pressure within the above chamber and valve 44 is then closed by reason of the pressure differential between the upper and lower sides of the disc 43. This pressure differential exists by reason of the fact that the area over the top of disc 43 is far.

greater than the area between the cup valve 44 and the periphery of the disc. By forming the apertures 50 as shown, the flow of the fluid upwardly through such apertures is greatly facilitated while the reverse flow therethrough is hindered. 'Ihis is in accordance with well known principles of hydraulic engineering.

To close the breaker, a momentary electrical impulse is imparted to the field and armature 63 and 64, respectively, of the motor and the hollow shaft 65 is thus rotated. Aperture 71`registers with the aperture '78 and the pressure in the chamber 84 is thus relieved. The valve '74 is then lifted by the pressure of the fluid under the piston '73 and the uid is discharged through the port and into the ducts 18 and 19. Valve '74 then goes through a cycle similar to that described above in connection with valve 44, directing a quantity of fluid into the said ducts. The pressure of this fluid within the sleeve 107 lifts valve 111 and moves the flange 1613 against the cams 125. This releases the detents 123 and further movement of the valve uncovers port 112 to permit the medium to escape into the chamber and sleeve 114 back of piston 115. Theresulting pressure drives the electrode into a closed position, the closing movement thereof collapsing the toggle linkage 9 and effecting a suitable indication through the palette switch 12.

In the form of the invention shown in Figure 10, the operation of the mechanism is accomplished by means of the action of a fluid on pistons. The velocity of the extinguishing medium is increased in the construction described above, by means of an expanding nozzle as described hereinafter and the breaker includes a base insulator 300 upon which a jacket 301 is mounted. The base insulator carries a vertical insulator .302 within which an expanding nozzle 303 is mounted. This directs an extinguishng medium against an arc splitter 304 which forms two channels 305 through which the extinguishing medium passes. A valve casing 306 is carried by the insulator 302 and is formed with a port 30'7 which communicates with the expanding nozzle 303. Casing 306 is formed with a chamber 308 and a pressure reservoir 309, a port 310 affording communication between the chamber 303 and the reservoir 309. In the top of the reservoir a cylinder 311 is formed, piston 312 being mounted slidably in the cylinder and operating a valve rod 313 upon the end of which valves 314 and 315 are mounted. The former closes the apertures 307 and the latter the port 310, as will be apparent from an inspection of Figure 10. A rotary control valve 316 is adapted to be operated by a suitable electro-responsive mechanism and is thus moved into a position as shown in Figure 10, wherein the reservoir 309 communicates with the cylinder 311, through a passage 317. Rotation of the valve to the left, as viewedin Figure 10, causes the cylinder 311 to communicate with the atmosphere through anA aperture 318. When the valve is in the position shown in Figure 10, the pressure diierential upon the opposite sides of the piston 312 causes the latter to be moved downwardly and valve 314 is seated-over the aperture 307. Upon moving valve 316 to register with the aperture 318, the pressure in the cylinder 311 is relieved, causing piston 312 to rise and the valve 315 is seated over the port 310.

Mounted in an upwardlydiverging relationship with respect to the base insulator 300 are hollow insulators 320 upon the ends of which cylinders 321 are mounted. rFliese cylinders are formed with inwardly extending bushings 322 which afford clearance spaces 323 and mount electrodes 324 slidably. Pistons 325 are provided with relief ports 326 andare :slidably mounted in the cylinders'321, friction :shoes 327 being provided at the top of the cylinders to hold the pistons and electrodes in the open position thereof. It should be noted that, the electrodes 324 carry valves 328 which engage seats 329 formed on the pistons 325. Oppositely extending horizontal insulators 330 are mounted between the upper ends of the cylinders 321 and the valve chamber 306. These insulators are formed with axial recesses 331 which communicate between the cylinders 321 and the valve chamber 308. Relief passages 332 are provided The electrodes are formed with stops 328', within which rods 328" are slidably mounted. Rods 328" carry the blade-cages 328l and mount the valve 328. Female switch members 333 are pivoted at 304 and normally urged apart by a spring 335. Toggle links 336 operate a palette switch operating rod 337 by means of a link 338, in the manner described in connection with the construction shown in Figures 1through 6.

The operation of the device shown in Figure 10 is as follows. A fault occurring in the transmission line will actuate a suitable mechanism to rotate the valve 316 from the position shown in Figure 10, to a position in which the vent 318 communicates with the cylinder 311, closing vent 317. The pressure in the reservoir 309 is then exerted against the underside of piston 312 to lift valve 314 and close valve 315. The medium under pressure in chamber 308 then escapes through theport 307 and expansion nozzle 303 in a manner similar to that described in connection with the device shown in Figures 1 through '7. The kinetic energy of the iluid is directed against the vanes carried by the electrodes in a manner similar to the previously described mechanism andthe blade cages thus move away from their closed position and engage the stops 328 and unseating valve 328. The pressure in the chamber 308 is thus relieved and the pressure in the cylinders 321 is correspondingly relieved by reason of the discharge of the medium contained therein under the valves 328 and through the electrodes into the channels 305. When the pressure within the cylinders 321 is relieved, the fluid in the clearance space 323 expands, which, together with the force of the moving blade cages brings the piston 325 to the top of the cylinder where it is held by the friction shoe 327. The remaining fluid from the clearance space exhausts slowly through the port 332 and port 331. Piston 325 thus moves the electrode 324 positively away from its closed positionand maintains the same in opened position.

The line connections are made to the cylinders 321 which are insulated from the valve body 306.

When the breaker is to be reset, the valve 316 is rotated into the position shown in Figure 10 and the piston 312 is correspondingly moved downwardly to close valve 314 and open valve 315. This applies pressure over the pistons 325 and 328 to advance the same downwardly and move the electrodes into their closed positions. The force of the blow which such pistons would otherwise direct against the lower ends of the cylinders 321 is broken by the compression of the fluid in the cylinders within the clearance spaces 323 and the pressure upon opposite sides of the piston 325 is equalized, when the mechanism is in its closed position, by means of the relief ports 326.

Port 332 permits the pressure back of piston 325 to escape through passage 331 when the piston has advanced into its upper position and to introduce fluid into the chamber before the piston descends. This is desirable should the breaker close into a short circuit.

From the foregoing it will be seen that a circuit breaker has been provided by means of which a high tension circuit may be interrupted without establishing an injurious arc. A positive extinguishing of the arc is obtained by the blast of 4operation renders the same highly effective in service of the character outlined above and various modifications other than those described herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. 'Ihe specific design of the blades, vanes, or buckets may be varied and the ports and passages changed to suit constructions of various Acharacteristics and the invention is not to be limited, save as defined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A circuit breaker ycomprising a plurality of aligned axially movable electrodes, a jet splitter receiving the adjacent ends of the electrodes, Vanes on the electrodes adjacent the ends thereof, and means having a channel tofdirect a fluid against the jet splitter and the vanes, the vanes and channel being so disposed that the action of the fluid against the vanes actuates the electrodes. f"

2. A circuit breaker 'comprisinga plurality of aligned axially movable electrodes, a j'et splitter receiving the adjacent ends of the electrodes, vanes on the electrodes adjacent the ends thereof, yielding means in the jet splitter engaging the ends of the electrodes, and means to direct a fluid against the jet splitter and the vanes.

3. A circuit breaker comprising a plurality of aligned axially movable electrodes, a jet splitter receiving the adjacent ends of the electrodes. vanes on the electrodes adjacent the ends thereof,-yielding means in the jet splitter engaging the ends of vthe electrodes, means to urge the yielding means apart, a toggle connection between the yielding means, and means to direct a Y fluid against the jet splitter and vanes.

' 4. A circuit breaker comprising a movable elecactuate the electrode, said electrode actuating means being disposed in the enlarged outlet of the jet passage to convert the kinetic energy of the jet blast into a force tending to move the electrode, the jet passage being so disposedthat the arcing surfaces are swept by the blast in opening.

* 6. A circuit breaker comprising a movable electrode, a jet passage, means on the electrode and in the jet passage to convert the kinetic energy of the jet blast into a force tending to move the electrode, the jet passage being so disposedy that the arcing surfaces are swept by the blast in opening.

7. A circuit breaker comprising an axially movable electrode, a jet passage, a vane on the electrode and in the jet passage to convert the kinetic energy of the jet blast into a force tending to move the electrode, the jet passage being so disposed that the arcing surfaces are swept by the blast in opening.

8. A circuit .breaker comprising ank axially movable electrode, a jet passage, a plurality of vanes on the electrode and in the jet passage to convert the kinetic energy of the jet blast into a force tending vto move the electrode, the jet passage being so disposed that the arcing surfaces are swept by the blast in opening.

9. A circuit breaker comprising an axially movable electrode having a latch engaging portion adjacent the contacting end thereof, a jet passage, a latch adapted to engage the latch engaging portion of the electrode, means to actuate the electrode, said electrode actuating means being disposed in the jet passage to convert the kinetic energy of the jet blast into a force tending to move the electrode, the jet passage being so disposed that the arcing surfaces are swept by the blast in opening.

10. A circuit breaker comprising an axiall movable electrode having a latch engaging portion adjacent the contacting end thereof, a jet passage, a latch adapted to engage the latch engaging portion of the electrode yieldingly whereby 'a predetermined axial force upon the elecv trode will effect the release of the latch, means to actuate the electrode, said electrode actuating means being disposed in the jet passage to convert the kinetic energy of the jet blast into a force tending to movethe electrode, the jet pasare-swept.- by the blast in opening.

GERALD VINCENT CRUISE.- 

